Rods and reels are naturally very important to an angler’s outfit, but it could be argued that the most important bit, and the least discussed, is the line that is spooled onto and threaded through said reels and rods and how you utilise it.
Any fisherman worth his salt will tell you that the basics of successful fishing start with knowing what line to use in certain situations and how to tie it. Tying a half knot and expecting to land a fish with it will work about as well as using string cheese to catch tuna. We’ll discuss a few different lines one can use for saltwater angling and what knots to tie so that prize fish doesn’t slip away.
Lines: Flurocarbon
Fluorocarbon fishing line is very low in visibility due to its refractive index being very similar to water. It is therefore perfect for clear water and when targeting overly skittish species, and you can increase pound test without scaring away lineshy fish. It’s a fairly sensitive line, it stretches little and has phenomenal abrasion resistance which makes it perfect for fishing over reefs, wrecks or rocks. An added bonus is that UV has minimal effect on fluorocarbon, unlike nylon lines.
Monofilament
Monofilament is easy to use, flexible, and has good knot strength. Its flexibility makes it easier to cast than stiffer lines and its stretch is forgiving in situations where you might set the hook too hard or the drag sticks, as it will stretch up to 25 percent. It is often used for trolling, jigging or bait fishing and it can be spooled on smaller spinning reels as well. Mono sinks very slowly due to its neutral buoyancy and is therefore the preferred line for top-water or suspended sub-surface lures.
